1957 Chevrolet Bel Air – Street Shaker
Think back to the late ’50s when Chevrolet had just introduced the ever-so-popular 1957 Chevy Bel Air. It was an iconic car to most and a dream car to so many little boys who got bit by the car bug at an early age.
A huge upgrade from the usual 265 cubic-inch and 283 cubic-inch V8’s usually found in these ’57 Bel Airs. The 383 is mated to a Turbo 400 automatic transmission with a B&M shift kit. The turbo dual exhaust kit produces a nice sound note that lets everyone know there’s a little something under the hood.
The rear section of the frame was narrowed 10-1/2 inches per side to be able to fit massive-sized wheels. Then stretched 1-1/2 inches over stock in the rear to center the tall tires in the wheel openings. The 12-bolt rearend was taken from a ’70 Impala, narrowed and stuffed with 4.10 gears topped off with Moser axles and a US Gear Posi-Track. The 30-inch modified supper slapper bars married up to the stock leaf springs in the rear. The frontend now sits lower thanks to having one coil removed from the Moroso drag springs. A set of four-piston Wilwood disc brakes at the corners brings this horsepower beast back to halt.
The dash had the speaker grille shaved and painted gray. Pete’s Fabrication polished aluminum panels were inserted into the dash. A set of ’88 Ford Thunderbird seats were recovered with gray leather while the floor was covered in dark gray cut pile carpet with gray leather spider web accents around the rollcage bars. The choice of a steering wheel was a no-brainer. A stereo system was kept out of the mix because who needs a stereo when you have an 8-71 big-block making all the music one would ever need?
The days of curved glass and big bodied automobiles may be behind us, but Bel Air Street Shaker brings a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of when it was fun to dream. Bel Air Street Shaker represents an era that has yet to be repeated, let alone respected, as much as the Tri-Five era.
1957 Bel Air Street Shaker is a beautiful build that we couldn’t take our eyes off of. From its dazzling paint to its rust free chrome and undercarriage, this Bel Air Street Shakeris a timeless classic that will forever live on.
